MP Mbaye Dione spoke during the review of the Ministry of Communication's budget to urge the government to honor its financial commitments to Senegalese media. He highlighted the essential role of the private press, describing it as a public service mission, a role particularly evident during health crises such as Covid-19.

The central point of Mbaye Dionne's intervention focused on the economic difficulties of press companies and the unfulfilled obligations of the State.

The MP recalled the promise made by the President of the Republic during the April 4th ceremony to settle the debt owed to media companies. He emphasized the need to proceed with this payment without preconditions: "Senegal is in the process of clearing all its debts. The debt owed to the press is part of that; it must be paid. [...] A debt must be paid."

He lamented that the Press Support Fund, despite being approved by the National Assembly, had still not been distributed. He asked the minister to respect the law concerning this fund, to ensure its equitable distribution, and to involve professional organizations, particularly CEDEPS, in discussions regarding its management.

Mbaye Dione also raised the issue of tax fairness. He asked the minister not to make tax fairness a prerequisite for receiving state support.

According to him, the state must first settle its own debt to the media. The precarious economic situation of many press companies prevents them from immediately meeting certain tax obligations, and the payment of the state's arrears should be a priority.

The speech concluded with a clear appeal: "Pay the Senegalese press the money you owe them. After that, you are free not to sign the agreements."